News & Insight

TKYF & UNSW Secure a Research Funding Partner

University of New South Wales Australia (UNSW) & National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) & Safe Space Partnership

The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation Limited (TKYF) is a charity that aims to foster a more responsible drinking culture, and ultimately safer and healthier communities, through initiatives targeting youth, families, sporting groups, and the broader community, and through strong advocacy to local, state and federal governments. TKYF has exposure at the highest level of NSW and Federal Government, and among some of Australia’s largest and most successful businesses. TKYF’s flagship initiative – in collaboration with St John Ambulance, the City of Sydney and the NSW Government – is the “Take Kare Safe Space" and "Take Kare Ambassador Program". This program has assisted thousands of young people get home safely since its commencement in December 2014. Some of the strongest assets of the TKYF are that it is highly supported by youth, it has a strong social media presence, and it provides an opportunity for a range of community members to take an active part in reducing alcohol-related harms experienced by young people.

The TKYF has formed a strategic partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in particular with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) to evaluate the performance and public perception of the Take Kare Safe Space program in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross. The outcome of the evaluation will allow the TKYF to continue to receive financial support to continue to operate these programs past the current funding period (to 30th June 2018), as well as the expansion of the Take Kare Safe Space programs to regional areas as well as interstate.

The TKYF together with UNSW / NDARC have secured a partner to sponsor the research to be undertaken by a Ph.D student over three years.